Air Fryer Hot Cross Bun French Toast combines sweet and spicy Hot Cross Buns with a sweet egg mixture that is toasted until golden in your air fryer. Serve with your favourite toppings and for an easy and delicious breakfast or brunch.
Why make Air Fryer Hot Cross Bun French Toast?
If you love French Toast then you are going to love this Hot Cross Bun French Toast. The buns are sweet and soft with a hint of spice and are dotted with juicy raisins. I love to eat hot cross buns simply with butter and jam, they are really delicious. But make Air Fryer Hot Cross Bun French Toast and serve with fruit and syrup and you have the makings of a perfect lazy weekend breakfast or a special Easter treat.
What is French Toast?
Another name for French toast is “Pain perdu” which means lost bread. French Toast is often made with stale bread, the bread which would otherwise be ‘lost’. Slices of bread are soaked in a mixture of eggs, sugar and milk, and then toasted in a pan. The egg mix will make the bread tender and totally delicious.
Why should I make Hot Cross Bun French Toast in my air fryer?
I use my air fryer to make french toast because it’s convenient and economical. The air fryer is really great for cooking quickly. You can also use less butter than if you fry the toast in a pan and you still get a fried flavour and texture.
Cooking in an air fryer is also about half the cost of cooking in a standard oven. The circulating heat in the air fryer helps to ensure the Hot Cross Bun French Toast is toasted evenly all over.
What is an Air Fryer?
An air fryer is a bit like a mini oven and has the potential to cook and bake all kinds of foods. Air fryers were originally sold for their ability to create ‘fried’ food with less fat. The heating element is at the top of the air fryer and it uses a powerful fan to circulate the heat. This combination of intense heat and circulation means that food crisps up quickly.
What kind of Air Fryer can I use to make Hot Cross Bun French Toast?
I have two different air fryers, a single-drawer air fryer that is very simple to use. And I also have a larger air fryer that has shelves like an oven and rotisserie setting. You can make Air Fryer Hot Cross Bun French Toast in most air fryers. The only kind of air fryer that would not be suitable is one with a rotating paddle.
I have tested this recipe in my drawer air fryer and in the oven type of air fryer and it works perfectly in both.
What ingredients do I need to make Air Fryer Hot Cross Bun French Toast?
You only need a few ingredients to make the french toast and then you can add toppings to suit. Here is what you will need:
- Hot Cross Buns
- Eggs
- Milk
- Sugar
- Vanilla extract
- Butter
A full list of the ingredients and the required quantities is found in the recipe card at the end of this article.
What are Hot Cross Buns?
Hot Cross Buns are sweet spiced fruit buns that we traditionally eat at Easter. They are decorated with a cross that represents the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Their invention is widely credited to a 14th Century monk who created the Alban Bun which had a cross marked into the dough. The sweet fruity buns were given to the poor on Good Friday and were so popular that the tradition spread across the country.
Where can I buy Hot Cross Buns?
I buy my Hot Cross Buns from the supermarket. You’ll find them prominently displayed in UK bakeries and stores from January until the end of April. However, you can often find them in the bakery section of supermarkets all year round.
Over the past few years the variations on the recipe have increased and you can find Hot Cross Buns flavoured with chocolate, caramel, apple, cranberries and many other delicious sweet ingredients. I prefer the flavour of traditional buns to make Air Fryer French Toast but you can use any flavour.
What can I substitute for Hot Cross Buns?
Look out for Easter Buns as that’s what they are called in some countries. If you are unable to find Hot Cross Buns you can make your own (see below) or use any sweet spiced fruit bun as a substitute.
Can I make my own Hot Cross Buns?
You can actually make Hot Cross Buns in your air fryer! If you fancy making your own then try my recipe for Air Fryer Hot Cross Buns.
What kind of sugar should I use?
I use white caster (superfine) sugar in the egg mixture because the fine crystals dissolve easily. You can use granulated sugar but it may give a slightly gritty texture. You can also use icing (powdered) sugar as a substitute.
I also like to dust the french toast with a little icing sugar before serving, but this is entirely optional.
What is Vanilla Extract?
Vanilla pods are the seed pods of a specific species of flowering orchids that grow close to the equator. Pure Vanilla Extract is made by soaking vanilla beans in alcohol. The liquid is then given time to age and mellow before bottling. Always check that you are buying pure vanilla extract and not anything that says imitation or vanilla flavouring.
What kind of butter should I use?
I use standard salted butter because that’s what I usually have in my fridge. You can use unsalted butter if you have some.
Can I use a butter substitute?
I brush some melted butter onto the egg-soaked hot cross buns. This helps with both flavour and to create a delicious crisp toasted bun. Use a full-fat butter substitute to create the same effect, a reduced fat spread will contain too much water to be effective and may make your bun soggy!
Can I make Air Fryer Hot Cross Bun French Toast in advance?
You can make the french toast up to a day in advance and reheat it in your air fryer. Make the toast and then cool it on a cooling tray. Store in the fridge in an airtight container. Reheat the Hot Cross Bun French Toast in your air fryer at 200C for 2-3 minutes.
Can I freeze Hot Cross Bun French Toast?
I don’t recommend freezing french toast. You can freeze hot cross buns so that you have a supply ready to make french toast. You can either leave them to thaw for 2-3 hours on a cooling tray covered with a clean tea towel. Or you can thaw them with the defrost setting on your microwave.
Gluten Free
Standard Hot Cross Buns contain wheat flour. Buy gluten free hot cross buns and use them to make this recipe. They are now widely available in supermarkets.
Vegetarian
Air Fryer Hot Cross Bun French Toast is suitable for vegetarians.
For more information regarding any dietary information provided on this website, please refer to my Nutritional Disclaimer.
How should I serve Air Fryer Hot Cross Bun French Toast?
Serve Air Fryer Hot Cross Bun French Toast simply with some maple syrup or try some of the following options:
- Add some fruit. I like soft fruit like fresh strawberries, blueberries, raspberries or sliced bananas. But most fresh fruit works well with french toast.
- Make a fruit compote with frozen mixed berries, a little sugar and some water warmed through in a pan. Serve in a bowl with the Hot Cross Bun French Toast.
- Include some kind of cream. I use creme fraiche because I like the slight sharpness and acidity that comes with this thick cream. But you can use whipped cream, pouring cream or aerosol cream, whatever you have. For a lighter touch thick Greek or natural yogurt is a good choice.
- Use maple syrup, chocolate sauce or even better Brownie Butter! You can also include golden syrup or caramel sauce to drizzle over the Hot Cross Bun French Toast.
- For a special Easter treat I add chocolate mini eggs to the topping options.
- A dusting of icing (confectioners) sugar is a great finishing touch.
More Air Fryer Recipes
More Easter Recipes
PIN FOR LATER
Air Fryer Hot Cross Bun French Toast
Ingredients
- 3 (3) eggs
- 150 ml (½ cups) milk
- 1 tbsp (1 tbsp) sugar
- 1/2 tsp (1/2 tsp) vanilla extract
- 4 (4) hot cross buns
- 20 grams (1 ⅓ tbsp) butter
Instructions
- Cut the 4 hot cross buns in half
- Beat 3 eggs, 150 ml milk, 1 tbsp sugar and 1/2 tsp vanilla extract in a jug.
- Pour into a flat dish or plate
- Put the hot cross buns cut side down into the egg mixture and leave for 2 minutes. Turn them over and leave for a further two minutes. (Batches)
- Preheat your air fryer if required
- Put a piece of baking parchment in the base of your air fryer and spray with oil.
- Place the soaked hot cross bun halves in your air fryer and brush the cut side of the buns with 20 grams of melted butter
- Air Fry on 200C /400F for 6 minutes until golden brown.
- If batch cooking then keep warm until all the toast is ready.
- Serve with maple syrup, chocolate sauce, creme fraiche and fresh fruit.
Notes
- Serving Suggestions
-
- Add some fruit. Try fresh strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and sliced bananas.
-
- Make a fruit compote with frozen mixed berries, a little sugar and some water warmed through in a pan. Serve in a bowl with the Hot Cross Bun French Toast.
-
- Include some kind of cream. I use creme fraiche because I like the slight sharpness and acidity that comes with this thick cream. Use whipped cream, pouring cream or aerosol cream, whatever you have. For a lighter touch thick Greek or natural yogurt is a good choice.
-
- Sauce or syrup is a good choice. Use maple syrup and chocolate sauce, golden syrup or caramel sauce.
-
- For a special Easter treat add chocolate mini eggs to the topping options.
-
- A dusting of icing (confectioners) sugar is a great finishing touch.
Cat says
Such an amazing idea. I had some hot cross buns in the freezer so defrosted them when I saw this so I could give it a try. Absolutely delicious and I’m a sucker for using my air fryer!
Chloe says
Such a great twist and a way to use up the buns I forgot about that were a tad past eating fresh!
Choclette says
Sounds totally scrumptious. Love French toast and hot cross buns, so you’ve definitely tempted me. Especially interested to see it’s done in an air fryer. Fab!
Rebecca says
Thank you for the “US” measurements!!!
Janice Pattie says
You are welcome 🙂